Debate over Lightning Ridge funeral service continues

A Lightning Ridge man will receive a proper burial today after residents secured access to funeral equipment which had been locked up by the RSL.

Funeral equipment in Lightning Ridge is kept at the old RSL club-house.

The town's Funeral Advisory Service says it was told to remove the shed's contents - a hearse and specialist tools - when the state's returned services league resolved to put the land up for sale last month.

The Walgett Shire wrote to the RSL criticising it for a lack of communication after locks to the sheds were changed, denying access to the funeral advisory group.

New South Wales RSL CEO Glen Kolomeitz says he contacted the council and the Lightning Ridge funeral service yesterday to notify them the keys to the sheds are at the local real estate.

The council said it meant Franz Persson would receive a dignified burial today.

The Advisory Group's President Ian Woodcock said he has been granted permission to return the keys after the funeral.

Mr Kolomeitz said he was willing to discuss community concerns, but the hearses and tools were not to be stored on the site beyond today, to make the lot ready for sale